Solar panels - electrically safe way to clean?

Doc_N

My panels have a lot of lichen on them, and although it's not having a major impact on production it's bound to have some, and it can only get worse.

I have a decent set of carbon fibre window cleaning poles (water fed) which will do the job properly, but I'm concerned that even with everything switched off at the inverter there must be a risk of electric shock via the pole and water because the panels will still be producing power.

Any thoughts, please? How are others going about cleaning the panels safely?

Any risk of damaging the panels?

martinthebandit

What do you think happens when it rains on your panels?

First thing to try is a spray with a hose, if that doesn't work than brush and soapy water, use a soft brush and avoid harsh detergents.

KevinG

The risk of electrical shock must be minuscule, it never even occurred to me and I have never switched anything off. Just be gentle with them. I've used wet towels on a pole amongst other things.

zeupater

Hi

Is it really too obvious to mention early morning or late evening on a really cloudy day ?

HTH
Z

EricMears

The panels ought to be completely insulated electrically. If (say) a large crack in panels prejudiced the insulation, then the RCD (aka earth leak detector) which ought to be part of the circuit would keep tripping.

It ought therefore to be perfectly safe to handle the 'live' panels without any special precautions - providing they were properly fitted with safety devices.